How Much Does Cisco CCNA Cost?

The Cisco Certified Network Associate (CCNA) is a globally recognized networking certification, and in this guide, we’ll break down all the costs associated with earning it in 2025. Whether you opt for self-study, online courses, or bootcamps, understanding the full investment helps you budget and choose the best path to certification success.

We examine everything from the CCNA exam fee itself to training materials, prep courses, and recertification. You’ll also find cost saving tips, return on investment projections, and expert strategies to minimize your total spend.

Article Highlights

• Official CCNA exam fees are $300 per attempt.
• Training ranges from $0 for self-study to $5,000+ for bootcamps.
• Additional costs like retakes, lab simulators, and renewal fees should be budgeted.
• While not inexpensive, CCNA offers strong career ROI with higher salaries.

How Much Does CCNA Cost?

The main CCNA certification exam itself currently costs $300 per attempt when scheduling through Pearson VUE testing centers. Self-study for CCNA ranges from $100 to $300 in total study material costs, while online instructor-led CCNA training courses span from $300 to $1,000.

The only mandatory fee to gain CCNA certification is the exam itself. Here are the details:

Official Exam Name: Cisco Certified Network Associate Exam (CCNA 200-301)

Exam Price: $300 USD (globally)

Registration: Through Pearson VUE centers

Format: Multiple choice, simulations, drag/drop

Length: 90-110 questions

Duration: 90 minutes

Schedule: Year-round, schedule when ready

Prerequisites: None required

Passing Score: Typically, 700-750 (on a scale of 300-1000)

The 200-301 exam extensively covers networking fundamentals, IP connectivity and routing, security, automation, and infrastructure services. Be prepared to demonstrate your skills through simulations and complex multiple-choice questions.

While no training is required, adequate preparation over 6-12 weeks through books, courses, or practice tests is highly recommended to pass the CCNA exam.

As confirmed by multiple sources including Cisco’s official website and leading IT training providers, the cost of the Cisco Certified Network Associate (CCNA) certification exam in the US is $300, [Cisco] [NetCom Learning] [ThinkCloudly]. This fee covers the single required exam (Cisco 200-301) and does not include taxes or the cost of study materials, which can add an additional $100 to $500 depending on whether you choose books, online courses, or practice tests [CiscoDumps]. If you need to retake the exam, each attempt requires paying the full $300 fee again. Overall, candidates should budget at least $300 for the exam itself and potentially $400 to $800 total if factoring in preparation resources [CBT Nuggets] [Tulsa Tech].

What is the CCNA Certification?

First, let’s quickly summarize what CCNA is and why it’s valuable for networking professionals:

CCNA stands for Cisco Certified Network Associate. It’s one of the most widely recognized and in-demand IT certifications worldwide.

The CCNA validates key foundational skills for installing, managing, and troubleshooting Cisco networking infrastructure.

Professionals with a current CCNA demonstrate core expertise across:

• Network fundamentals – Protocols, routing, switching, IP addressing
• Network access – VLANs, access control lists, device security
• Infrastructure services – DHCP, DNS, QoS policies
• Automation and programmability – APIs, configuration management

Because Cisco equipment and technologies dominate enterprise IT environments globally, CCNA is a badge of technical competency and opens doors to lucrative careers as network administrators, support engineers, technicians, and cybersecurity analysts.

Books, Labs, and Practice Tests

Self-study represents the most flexible, affordable route to prep for the CCNA exam:

Cisco Press Certification Guides

• Official print study guides like the CCNA 200-301 Official Cert Guide cost ~ $50 online for used copies or $100 new for the two volumes.
• Cisco Press ebooks allow portability starting at $25 per ebook through Amazon or the Cisco store. Share with study groups to save.

Online Practice Tests

• Leading providers like Boson ExSim offer detailed scored practice exams starting at $99.
• Cisco Press practice test software with four full exams costs $69 on Pearson.
• Free CCNA exam simulators do exist, but may lack the depth, explanations, and analytics of paid versions.

Network Simulation Software

• Cisco’s Packet Tracer offers a full-featured free network simulator ideal for CCNA labs.
• More advanced simulators like Boson NetSim provide more equipment for $179.
• Real gear is great for hands-on experience if accessible, but requires no budget.

With strategic use of discounted books, free Cisco resources, practice exams, and simulators, expect a $100 to $300 self-study budget.

Online Courses and Instructor-Led Training

If structured online training fits your learning style better than pure self-study, consider these leading eLearning platforms:

Cisco Networking Academy

As Cisco’s official online training program, Networking Academy offers:

• 80–120-hour CCNA course curriculum
• Pricing from $150 to $350 depending on region and delivery format
• Discounted vouchers redeemable for 15-30% off exam fees

CBT Nuggets

A favorite among IT professionals provides:

• 60 hours of video training covering the CCNA exam outline
• Subscription access from $599 per year
• Mobile app to learn on the go
• Virtual labs to supplement lessons

INE

Specializing in IT training, INE CCNA packages includes:

• Online courses, lectures, labs with experienced instructors
• All-access pass with coaching support from $499 to $699
• Guarantee you’ll pass the CCNA or get a full refund

Udemy

As an open course marketplace, Udemy offers:

• On-demand CCNA video courses from a range of instructors
• Individual course pricing typically $100 to $200
• Sales can drop prices to $20 per course temporarily

Coursera

This popular academic platform partners with universities for:

• 5-to-10-hour CCNA courses spanning specific skills
• Guided projects and graded assignments
• Bite-sized lessons great for beginners
• Affordable monthly subscription under $50/month

Online training costs range widely from $150 to over $1000 based on the platform, instructor, included labs, and supplemental materials provided in each package.

CCNA Bootcamp Costs

Bootcamp-style accelerated training allows focused preparation in a short timeframe:

Local Colleges and Universities

Degree programs and community colleges offer:

• Multi-week CCNA bootcamp schedules convenient for working professionals
• Extensive hands-on labs for skills application
• Enrollment costs spanning $1,500 to $4,000+ depending on public or private school
• Potential to earn college credit along with CCNA

IT and Technical Training Centers

Private bootcamp providers like New Horizons offer:

• Full-time 2–3-month CCNA prep as a dedicated bootcamp
• Instructor-led classroom instruction with 24/7 lab access
• All-inclusive bundles covering training, voucher, labs, and test fees
• Average costs from $3,000 to $6,000 per bootcamp

No matter what, verify bootcamp courses thoroughly align to the current CCNA exam framework to get the best ROI on the investment.

The total bootcamp investment typically spans $1,500 to $6,000+. While pricier, you get access to expert instructors, structured learning, and performance metrics to stay on track in a compressed timeframe of a few weeks up to three months.

Other Optional Costs

Beyond the core study materials and classes themselves, factor these “hidden” costs:

• Retake fees – $300 per exam attempt after any failed tries
• Exam vouchers – Prepaid access codes can slice 10-30% off exam costs
• Study groups – Spread textbook costs by sharing materials among peers
• Hardware simulators – Physical Cisco gear rentals start around $200 per device per week if accessible
• Cloud labs – Shared subscription labs for gear access averages $150/month
• Online lab environments – Pay-as-you-go access for hands-on practice when needed
• Video courses – Go beyond a single prep course to reinforce weak spots
• Travel expenses – For in-person testing center visits or classroom bootcamp attendance

Recertification Requirements and Costs

Also read our articles on the fost of LinkedIn Learning.

Like most IT certifications, CCNA must be renewed every three years to stay active via:

• CCNA exam retake – Pay the $300 exam fee again to recertify for another 3 years
• Continuing Education credits – CCNA training courses count as CE and help renew for around $100-$300 per year

Ongoing learning and re-certification maintain credential value. Budget $300-500 per year depending on renewal path.

Comparison Across CCNA Preparation Paths

Given the above costs, here is a pricing comparison across popular CCNA training options:

Determine the best fit based on your budget, experience level, and availability for immersive training.

Is CCNA Certification Worth it?

While attaining CCNA requires an upfront investment, the career benefits typically outweigh the Despite upfront costs, CCNA delivers immense value and earning potential over the long term:

• $76,000 average salary for CCNA certified professionals according to PayScale – 15% above non-certified IT peers
• Shorter job search cycle and higher interview rate for IT roles requiring or preferring CCNA
• Ability to qualify for senior network engineering and architecture roles with CCNA as a prerequisite
• Solid foundational knowledge to prepare for specialty Cisco certs like CCNP or cybersecurity

Overall, CCNA signifies membership in an elite group of networking professionals that opens doors to greater responsibilities, projects, and salaries throughout an IT career.

CCNA Costs Can Vary Regionally

While the base Cisco exam fee remains consistent worldwide, the availability and pricing of supplemental training resources can vary.

Factors like local currency rates, cheaper labor costs, Cisco Networking Academy participation, and volume of training centers impact overall program costs by region. Exam vouchers may also be more discounted in certain countries.

Reduce Your CCNA Cost

To maximize savings:

• Leverage free learning resources whenever possible like Cisco’s content and Packet Tracer.
• Join the Cisco Networking Academy for program discounts up to 70% off.
• Use exam vouchers to save 10-30% on test fees.
• Split costs by sharing course licenses or books with peers.
• Take practice exams upfront to avoid retake fees.

Answers to Common Questions

How much does it cost to renew CCNA certification?

CCNA renewal costs around $300 every 3 years by retaking the exam, or $100-150+ annually through Continuing Education credits.

Does CCNA cover cybersecurity topics?

Yes, the current CCNA 200-301 exam includes network security fundamentals like protocols, vulnerabilities, mitigation techniques, and Cisco tools.

How many people fail CCNA in the first attempt?

Industry data estimates the CCNA failure rate on first attempts is 50-60%. Thorough preparation is essential to avoid the cost and delays of retakes.